Young ambassadors for disabled people’s user led organisations
Published 27 August 2013
© Crown copyright 2013
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The Strengthening DPULOs programme ended in March 2015. This document is out of date.
The disabled people’s user led organisations (DPULOs) programme has appointed DPULO young ambassadors aged between 16 and 25 – and an honorary ambassador to support them.
The young ambassadors work with DPULOs and existing DPULO ambassadors to:
- act as champions to inspire young disabled people to participate more in DPULOs and ensure the future of DPULOs
- find ways that disabled young people can support each other
- look at ways DPULOs can help disabled young people move from education into work
- increase the number of DPULOs who have a meaningful and active social media presence
Louise Ann Hunt
Louise is from Swindon.
Louise is a Paralympian who has dedicated a lot of her time to inspiring a wide variety of people to pursue any goals they may have. She is a motivational speaker and mentor.
Contact – louby1@btinternet.com
Rachael Johnston
Rachael is from Warrington.
Rachael runs journeybacktolife.org.uk, a social enterprise that allows her to speak openly in schools about her experience. Contact – rachael@journeybacktolife.org.uk
Chandos Green
Chandos is from Bournemouth, but he was born in Zimbabwe.
For the last 5 years Chandos has run support groups for students from across Bournemouth. In 2012 he started the process of setting up his own community group to give young people, aged 13 to 25 an opportunity to share views and opinions on the daily running of our society and to get their voices heard.
Contact – chandosgreen.dpulo@gmail.com
Mathew Hall
Matthew is from Cullercoats, Tyne and Wear.
Matthew has volunteered in a number of disabled organisations and understands the many problems facing people with disabilities.
Contact – mathewdpulo@gmail.com
Jhon Bateman
Jhon is from Coalville, Leicestershire.
Jhon has experience of chairing several groups for young people and has gained a good understanding of the best ways to actively engage other young people.
Contact – jbatemanDPULO@hotmail.co.uk
Sophia Erskine
Sophia is from Liverpool.
Sophia has represented young people at local government and international level through public speaking and presentations. She is a member and peer advocate of her local DPULO.
Contact – sophia.erskine@hotmail.co.uk
Ellie Bamber – reserve
Ellie is from North Derbyshire.
Ellie is a disabled swimmer and coach and believes that every disabled person can achieve their ambitions if they set their heart and mind on it.
Contact – ellie.dpulo@yahoo.co.uk
Sophie Christiansen – honorary ambassador
Sophie Christiansen competed for Great Britain in Paralympic dressage. She was the most successful rider at the London 2012 Games winning 3 gold medals. These added to her 2 gold and one silver medal from the Beijing Paralympics in 2008. Sophie also won a debut bronze medal at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens when she was just 16 years old. She graduated with a first class masters degree in mathematics from Royal Holloway, University of London in 2011.
Sophie believes in the legacy of the London 2012 Paralympics and is keen to keep the perception of disability high. She aspires to use her profile as a triple gold medalist and her life experiences to help the DPULO programme and young DPULO ambassadors.